We spoke to Anne Lanigan from Enterprise Ireland about the IT’s Happening Here campaign, software development in Ireland, future jobs, and the need to keep apace with fast-moving developments in tech.

Lanigan is senior development adviser in Enterprise Ireland’s enterprise software solutions department and was at Career Zoo in the Convention Centre Dublin on 15 February to promote 12 indigenous IT companies in the event’s Tech Town. Between them, these companies had 350 job openings and, while many of these were tech-based positions, such as software developers, software architects and technical project managers, there are also roles in tech for other professionals, such as sales associates, business analysts and business intelligence specialists.

As more and more wide-ranging job opportunities arise from the tech sector, Lanigan’s advice is for workers to keep up. “It’s a fast-moving sector and you have to move fast with it,” she declared, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development and in-house upskilling and training.

Lanigan herself hasn’t worked in tech her whole life, having had roles in mechanical engineering, banking and med tech, along with what she describes as a “checkered” career path. She believes that, thought you don’t have to work in tech for your entire career, it’s certainly a sector to consider.

Elaine Burke is managing editor of Siliconrepublic.com. She joined in 2011 as a journalist covering gadgets, new media and tech jobs news. She comes from a background in publishing and is known for being particularly persnickety when it comes to spelling and grammar – earning her the nickname, Critical Red Pen. When she hasn’t got her nose stuck in her laptop, you’ll find her in the kitchen, at the cinema, or on the dancefloor.

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